Asthma can have a very large impact on someone’s life. When you understand what increases the likelihood of an asthma attack, you put yourself in the best position for dealing with it. This article has some tips and methods that will help you to better manage your asthma.
Are you informed about what type of asthma you suffer from? If you identify your specific causes, you can be prepared to treat the symptoms when they appear during your daily routines. For instance, people with exercise-induced asthma would do well to carry an inhaler in their gym bag! You can avoid a crisis by knowing your symptoms’ patterns.
A lot of medications can trigger an asthma attack without you knowing. Some of these include aspirin and NSAIDs. Common medications used for controlling high blood pressure often times contain beta blockers, which asthmatics may be more sensitive to. Make sure your physician is aware of all of your chronic conditions and any medications you are on so they can treat your asthma appropriately.
If your child or another loved one suffers from asthma, you should be sure to never smoke cigarettes when you’re near them. Secondhand smoke is known to be a reason asthma happens. Keep your child away from any area where people are smoking.
If you’re having an asthma attack, a great way to handle this is to immediately evacuate the air from your lungs. Exhale in a hard and fast manner. Force all the air out of the lungs! Take three breaths in succession. These breaths don’t have to be deep, just breathe a little. Then take a deep breath, pulling as much air as possible into your lungs. When your lungs are as full as you can stand, force the air out. This gives your breathing a rhythm and makes you focus on your breathing. This is a good way to empty your lungs and let more air come in. There may be periods of harsh coughing and a substantial generation of sputum, but this is actually what you want in order to get the airways opened and the breathing back on a regular pattern.
A lot of medications can trigger an asthma attack without you knowing. Aspirin is an example of a widely used medicine that can cause asthma problems. Beta blockers can also have this affect, as well as other medications for controlling high blood pressure and heart disease. Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking such medicine and also have asthma.
If you’re in a room that has a lot of dust in it, don’t turn on a fan. While it may seem smart to get the air circulating, in reality this will only stir up the dust, making it easier to inhale and trigger an attack. It could be better to open the window if you need to get airflow.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that requires constant management. Be certain that you are prescribed or using the appropriate medicine to manage your daily symptoms, and that you have an emergency medicine readily available in the event of an attack. A variety of options are available for the treatment of asthmatic attacks. Consult your doctor and an allergist.
Make proper use of your inhaler. Find a spot that is out of the way, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. The inhaler can only help you if the medication actually reaches the lungs. While taking a deep breath, spray in the recommended dosage. Don’t exhale for ten seconds so that the medicine can go through your lungs.
If you are a person with asthma and have persistent attacks related to allergy symptoms, a medication that can be used for a long term effect is one that can be injected. Omalizumab is a mediation that is able to control allergic reaction symptoms.
Consider supplementing your diet with Vitamins E and C when you suffer from asthma. It is widely believed that these vitamins can help control asthma symptoms by improving lung function. You can take these vitamins in pill form, or you can eat fresh fruits and vegetables and get the vitamins that way. The vitamins work to strengthen your immunities, thereby warding off sicknesses that tend to exacerbate asthma.
If you are having trouble preventing asthma attacks, you may find success with a leukotriene inhibitor. A leukotriene inhibitor stops the release of a chemical that causes the inflammation that is responsible for some asthma attacks. A leukotriene will cause inflammation in the respiratory system, causing an asthma attack. By blocking the effects of leukotrienes, a leukotriene inhibitor can reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
Think about buying a dehumidifier if your asthma symptoms are bad. With less humidity, there will be fewer dust mites, and that means that there is less of a chance that your asthma will flare up. A dehumidifier works to dry the air by removing moisture.
Make certain that all members of your family get their annual flu shot. If you suffer from asthma, it is best to avoid respiratory infections of any type as much as possible. It is important to do things like hand washing and receiving proper vaccinations.
If you suffer from asthma, avoid smokers, even if you do not smoke yourself. When you inhale smoke, especially in close quarters, lung functioning is decreased, and it can trigger an attack.
People who have asthma should stick to using unscented products. Scented products such as air fresheners and perfumes can trigger an asthma attack. Many things in the home release chemicals that irritate the lungs, such as newly installed carpet or fresh paint. Keep your indoor air clean and free of pollutants to stay healthy.
Asthma Attacks
While everyone appreciates the look and feel of a clean house, asthma sufferers in particular benefit from a healthy environment as it can decrease the risk of asthma attacks, especially in a sleeping area. Food should not be eaten outside of the kitchen, and there should be no indoor smoking. Air the house out thoroughly after cleaning and avoid the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals indoors.
Be keenly aware of the triggers for your asthma attacks. If you know the cause, you can stay away to prevent asthma attacks. The majority of people suffering from asthma have several common triggers, like pet dander, smoke or pollen. Whenever you can, stay away from these agents that can trigger symptoms or cause full-blown asthma attacks.
Think about becoming a member of a support group, whether it is online or somewhere local. Asthma, especially severe asthma, can be a debilitating condition and prevent you from participating fully in daily life. Also, other asthma sufferers can alert you to scientific breakthroughs and changes, such as new medications.
Even if your asthma seems like it is under control, always keep your asthma appointments with the doctor. Asthma can flare-up at any time, and you never know, perhaps your doctor has safer or better medications which can help your symptoms.
Track how often you use your inhaler during each week. Your medication may need to be adjusted or an alternative treatment considered if you find that you need to use it 3 or more times per week. The number of times you use your inhaler can serve as a good reminder to monitor your environment and other aspects of your asthma management plan.
Pay a visit to your physician if you feel that your symptoms are taking a turn for the worse. To manage asthma and get more out of life, you should use these tips.
Stop smoking. Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking, but for someone with asthma, the consequences are even more serious. Smoke is extremely irritating to the already sensitive asthmatic lungs, so care should be taken to not only smoke, but also avoid being in the presence of other people who are smoking.